Tambuwal Mourns Gumel Emir, As Son Emerges 17th Monarch

By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi

Former Sokoto State Governor and ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has visited Gumel in Jigawa State to condole with the royal family and people of the emirate following the death of the 16th Emir, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammad Sani II.

Tambuwal described the late monarch as an exemplary traditional ruler whose 46-year reign was defined by peace, unity, education and community development.

He said the Emir’s death was a significant loss to Gumel Emirate, Jigawa State and the traditional institution in Nigeria, noting that his wisdom, experience and contributions to the development of his people would remain part of his enduring legacy.

The former governor expressed condolences to the late Emir’s family, the Gumel Emirate Council and the government and people of Jigawa State.

He prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, while giving the bereaved family and the people of Gumel the strength to bear the loss.

The late Emir died on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt, and was buried the same day in accordance with Islamic rites. Before becoming Emir, he served as Commissioner for Information, Culture and Home Affairs in the old Kano State.

Meanwhile, Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has approved the appointment of Dr Lawan Ahmed Muhammad Sani as the 17th Emir of Gumel.

The appointment came three days after the death of his father and was announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim.

Dr Lawan was selected following a recommendation by the Gumel Emirate Council kingmakers, led by the Wazirin Gumel, Alhaji Adamu Muhammad Nasoro, and endorsed by the Jigawa State Council of Chiefs.

Nine aspirants contested the stool, with three eventually shortlisted for the final selection before Dr Lawan emerged as the preferred candidate.

Until his appointment, the new Emir held the traditional title of Chiroman Gumel and served as Director of Cyber Security at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

He is an internationally recognised scholar with a PhD in Computer and Communication Systems Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia, an MSc from De Montfort University, UK, and a BSc in Mathematics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

He also served for more than 12 years as Head of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Hafr Al-Batin in Saudi Arabia.

Governor Namadi urged the new monarch to preserve and build on his father’s legacy, particularly in the areas of peace, unity and development, while calling on the people of Gumel to give him their full support.

His emergence maintains the traditional leadership of Gumel within the Muhammad Sani family, which has occupied the throne since 1944.